Padded Or Cushioned Member Patents (Class 297/488)
  • Patent number: 6619733
    Abstract: A passenger headrest is platform deployable and stowable from a passenger seat. The platform operates as a rear headrest and is pivoted to a forward position to serve as a forward leaning face-headrest. The headrest includes a headrest platform that is attached to an adjustable post made of tubular construction and having a plurality of holes. The adjustable post is concentrically dimensioned to be slidably received by a tubular bar. The tubular bar has a set of holes and is pivotably attached to the passenger seat. A first connector secures the adjustable post and tubular bar to each other. The headrest is pivotable through a range of motion adjusted by a passenger, wherein the passenger selects an inclination angle. The inclination angle used by the passenger is established via a second connector that secures the tubular bar to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven E. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20030137176
    Abstract: First and second head supports are releasably attached to the side edges of a child safety seat. Each of the head supports has a cushion section positioned on the inner side of the seat back and a clamp arm positioned on the outer side of the seat back, with the clamp arm having a proximal end attached to the cushion section. The spacing between the clamp arm adjacent the proximal end of the cushion section is approximately equal to the width of the seat back. Preferably, the cushion section is generally cubical, with first and second headrest faces, permitting use of the head supports on seats having backs with side edges generally parallel to the seat back center section, as well as seat backs having side edges generally perpendicular to the seat back center section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Eugene H. Jones
  • Patent number: 6591787
    Abstract: Pet console seats are desirable for safely and currently securing a pet during transportation. Excited pets can be very distracting to the driver and can be especially dangerous if the pet interferes with access to the vehicle's pedals. Pet console seats secure the pet over the center console by means of a leash attached to the pet's harness. The pet console seat is prevented from moving forward by a bar engaging with the rear of the vehicle's bucket seats. A pet seating portion is provided on the top of the pet console seat to prevent the pet from sliding around during transport. The pet is provided with a view of the outside through the windshield and a cushioned platform upon which to sit or lie. Furthermore, in the event of an accident, the pet cannot be thrown inside of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventors: James Gantz, Bette A. Gantz
  • Patent number: 6565154
    Abstract: A portable forward leaning seating device to be used on a bleacher at sporting events to provide the user with superior support to that portion of his back which is most susceptible to fatigue and pain. The device consists of a padded seat (10) attached to a seat frame (12) which is securely attached to the bleacher by a spring loaded hook (42). The user sits on the padded seat (10) by facing the sporting event with the adjustable vertical support sleave (14) positioned between the user's thighs. The user rests his arms on the padded horizontal arm rests (16) which are positioned using the adjusting knob (32) and spring loaded tab (38) in such a way to provide comfortable support to the torso of the user in a forward leaning fashion. The lock clasp (20) serves to lock the vertical support armature (18) securely in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Barton Brett Davis
  • Publication number: 20020195851
    Abstract: A protector device for a child-care instrument such as a child safety car seat or a child bed provides cushioning and protection around the child while allowing the support space for receiving the child to be adapted to different stages of the growth of the child. The protector device includes a head protector surrounding the child's head, an upper protector surrounding the child's upper body, and a lower protector surrounding the child's lower body. Protector elements may also support the child's head and body from below. The adaptable protector device makes the child-care instrument safer and more comfortable for the child in various stages of growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Kenzou Kassai, Ichiro Onishi, Fumiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6394492
    Abstract: An Improved Bus Seat Safety Restraint is disclosed. The preferred safety restraint comprises a padded U-shaped bar that has indexed stops at stowed, in-use and lower locked positions. The bar locks and restrains the passenger when the vehicle experiences a side or front collision, or if the vehicle rolls over. The bar preferably has a single, fixed pivot point. The bar further comprises a padded thigh pad that is height-adjustable to provide greater comfort to a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Still further, the restraint bar system is installable and easily aligned on both new and existing buses and other mass transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Adrian Corbett
  • Patent number: 6378947
    Abstract: A seating system, for example a paediatric seating system for wheelchairs, provides appropriate support for a person using the chair by providing adjustable components to support specific anatomical areas of the back, pelvis and upper leg and, more specifically, three components that stabilize the pelvis of that person. These components comprise an elevation change in the seat, a pad at the back that provides resistance to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and a pair of anterior pelvic pads that stabilize below the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Bloorview MacMillan Centre
    Inventors: Alan Barber, Michael Doell, Stephen Ryan, Ihsan Al-Temen, Patricia Rigby
  • Patent number: 6367839
    Abstract: A restraint system for protecting occupants in a sleeping compartment of a vehicle having a bunk bed includes at least two flexible straps having one end attached to a selected one of the vehicle or the bunk, and a second end. Attached to the straps is at least one energy absorbent padding in a position relative to the bunk bed for providing restraint and secondary collision protection to a prone occupant. The straps extend from the vehicle over the bunk bed to the second ends. A releasable lock is attached to the second ends for connecting the second ends to the vehicle or bunk. When not in use, the restraint system is conveniently stored so as to provide minimal impact on cab space. A strap retraction means is attached to the vehicle and has the first ends of the straps attached thereto. The strap retraction means is operable to retract the straps when the releasable lock is unlatched whereby the straps collapse into a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard V. Langhoff
  • Patent number: 6361118
    Abstract: The present invention is a support arm mechanism that is simpler, more durable and more reliable in use than support arm mechanisms of the prior art. The invention also relates to an improved hinge that can be used in a trunk support arm mechanism, and in other applications. One embodiment of the present invention is a locking trunk support hinge that is convenient to lock and unlock. For example, the hinge can have a lock with a front hinge portion and a rear hinge portion. A locking member, having a locking head and an angled lever, is rotatably mounted to one of hinge portions, and a locking channel extends in the other one. The hinge has a locked mode in which the locking head is engaged in the locking channel and the hinge cannot be opened, and an unlocked mode in which the locking head is not engaged in the locking channel and the hinge can be swung open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Freedom Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Melgarejo, Alejandro Melgarejo
  • Patent number: 6322150
    Abstract: A device, particularly for use by a pregnant woman having an enlarged abdomen. The device attaches to the lap belt portion of a vehicle seat belt assembly for increasing comfort and thus encouraging use of the seat belt assembly, as well as to urge the lap belt portion into proper position across the pelvis. The device includes an attachment portion which can be repeatedly attached to and removed from the lap belt, and a cushioning element attached to the attachment portion at the relatively upper edge of the lap belt for padding the relatively upper edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Harben, Inc.
    Inventors: Carolyn Harper, Janice J. Benson, Heather McComb
  • Patent number: 6309022
    Abstract: A pelvic support mechanism for a wheelchair seat has a bracket comprising a generally “L”-shaped, pivoting portion and a stationary portion that is hingedly attached to the “L”-shaped portion. The pelvic support mechanism has a padded pelvic support mounted on said “L”-shaped, pivoting portion, the stationary portion being mounted onto the wheelchair seat. A release lever that is pivotally mounted on said “L”-shaped portion of the bracket. A sliding bolt that is mounted within the “L”-shaped portion of the bracket and which is interconnected with the release lever. A compression spring that is mounted in the “L”-shaped portion of the bracket and that is in contact with the sliding bolt. An opening in the stationary portion of the bracket for receiving the sliding bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Freedom Designs Incorporated
    Inventors: Mauricio Melgarejo, Alejandro Melgarejo
  • Patent number: 6309741
    Abstract: A shopping cart having a foam pad designed to reduce bruising and other damage to fruits and vegetables as well as provide additional comfort to young children sitting on the pad is provided. The pad should be formed of closed-cell FDA approved foam, having a protective water impermeable skin substantially surrounding exposed surfaces of the foam. The skin should also be FDA approved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventor: William P. Boyle
  • Patent number: 6250717
    Abstract: A wheelchair for the handicapped is provided having an arm-rest hinge block including a back half-block fastened to an upright back of a structure and carrying a pivot pin. An arm-rest half-block mounted to pivot on the pivot pin includes a bore that rotatably receives a cylindrical shank of an angled arm-rest so that the shank is locked in position when the angled arm-rest occupies a substantially horizontal plane or a substantially vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: I.D.C. Medical
    Inventor: François Porcheron
  • Patent number: 6186545
    Abstract: An Improved Bus Seat Safety Restraint is disclosed. The preferred safety restraint comprises a padded U-shaped bar that has indexed stops at stowed, in-use and lower locked positions. The bar locks and restrains the passenger when the vehicle experiences a side or front collision, or if the vehicle rolls over. The bar preferably has a single, fixed pivot point. The bar further comprises a padded thigh pad that is height-adjustable to provide greater comfort to a wide variety of body shapes and sizes. Still further, the restraint bar system is installable and easily aligned on both new and existing buses and other mass transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Adrian Corbett
  • Patent number: 6079781
    Abstract: A ventilated child restraint seat (10) for use in, for example, an automobile, includes a molded plastic seat member into which is formed a seat bottom (14), a seat back (16), and left and right side portions (18,20, 22, 24). The molded seat member is also sized and shaped so as to fit in a conformed fashion with conventional automobile bench and bucket seats. Formed through and in the bottom, back, left and right side portions are a plurality of openings (40,42,44) or vents through which fresh air may flow. Disposed behind the bottom and back portions of the seat member, on the side thereof closest to the automobile seat, is an air reservoir (80) or opening into which fresh air slows. Air in the reservoir flows through the vents and into the seat. Air is supplied to the reservoir by the ventilation system (60) of the automobile into which the restraint seat is disposed, and connected thereto by a flexible duct or hose (62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Jay M. Tilley
  • Patent number: 6068335
    Abstract: The present device relates to a retainer adapted to retain an arm in a position mounted for pivotable movement on a base, and particularly to a shield retainer for a juvenile seat including a pivotable barrier shield. More particularly, the present device relates to a retainer adapted to retain a pivotable barrier shield arm in a frame of a juvenile car seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Cosco, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Glover
  • Patent number: 6056359
    Abstract: A power boat helmsman's station chair having a two-section seat bottom articulated by a pivotal hinge framework so that the front section of the seat can be folded up from its normal position as a horizontal extension of the rear section of the seat bottom to a position raised and disposed over the rear section. Port and starboard hinge subassemblies include a L-shape angle corner bracket that is fastened to both the bottom and the side boards of the rear seat section framework, thereby reinforcing the same, and that pivotally carries one end of an associated hinge arm fastened at its other end to the framework of the seat bottom front section. A one piece plastic member of generally inverted V-shaped configuration has one arm fixed to the upright flange of the comer bracket with the other arm disposed for spring latching, camming engagement with a cam follower edge surface of the pivot end of the hinge arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Tecla Company Inc.
    Inventor: Richard N. Clark
  • Patent number: 5938237
    Abstract: A driver restraining device is located in the driver's cab of an industrial truck having a driver's seat in the cab. The restraining device includes a contact member for the driver mounted in the cab and movable between a first retracted position and a second driver restraining position to prevent substantial movement of the driver's body relative to the driver's seat upon tipping of the truck. A tripping arrangement is operatively connected to the contact member to move the contact member between the first retracted position and the second driver restraining position and a detector for detecting the tipping motion of the industrial truck is operatively connected to the tripping arrangement to actuate the tripping arrangement to move the contact member from the first retracted position to the second driver restraining position and to lock the contact member in the second driver restraining position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Theodor Abels
  • Patent number: 5902010
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle seat back (26) having front and rear sides (40, 42). A bladder (50) is arranged between the front and rear sides (40, 42) of the seat back (26) in a deployed condition from which is it substantially inextendible by internal fluid pressure forces. The bladder (50) is contractible from the deployed condition by forces applied to the rear side (42) of the seat back (26) by a vehicle occupant moving behind the seat back (26) under ordinary vehicle operating conditions. The apparatus (10) responds to a crash-indicating condition by providing the bladder (50) with an elevated internal fluid pressure. The bladder (50) then provides a fluid pressure force for restraining forward movement of the vehicle occupant against the rear side (42) of the seat back (26) under the influence of a vehicle crash force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Jess A. Cuevas
  • Patent number: 5895092
    Abstract: A new child car seat with air bag protection bar is provided for protecting a child in event of the release of an air bag. Included is a car seat portion having a seat portion and a back portion. The car seat portion includes a harness strap for securing a child therein. A lower end of the back portion has a slot therethrough for receiving a seat belt of a vehicle therethrough to facilitate securement of the car seat portion within the vehicle. A restraint system is provided including a pair of inner vertical brackets secured on opposing sides of the back portion of the car seat portion. The restraint system includes a pair of outer vertical brackets slidably received within the inner vertical brackets. The restraint system includes a pair of horizontal supports pivotally coupled with upper ends of the outer vertical brackets. An outer portion of the horizontal supports have a channel formed therein. An outer end of the horizontal supports have an aperture therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Dean A. Fischer
  • Patent number: 5895091
    Abstract: A child car seat having at least one adjustment assembly for adjusting a child seat shield relative to the seat. The assembly includes a biased finger bar attached to a slide member which is slidably mounted on a mounted member pivotally attached to the seat shell. A shield leg is pivotally attached to the mounting member. The finger bar can be actuated to cause a lock key either to engage or disengage from a plurality of openings located in an adjuster plate pivotally mounted to the seat shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kolcraft Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Welsh, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5833311
    Abstract: An add-on child seat relates to an add-on child seat comprising a seating surface and a back rest surface for the child. At a distance to these surfaces there is provided an airbag as an impact protection for the child and which, in the case of a collision of the vehicle, is to be released. The airbag is formed as a knob shaped end of a carrier, this carrier extending between the legs of the child and is anchored in the region under the seating surface. With this design, in the case of an accident, the child can be quickly and simply removed from the seat without having to interrupt the mounting parts of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Van Riesen GmbH U.Co., KG
    Inventors: Matthias Friedrich, Volkmar Wolfl
  • Patent number: 5826287
    Abstract: There is provided a modular device for use as a supporting and positioning unit for infants. Three releasably attachable cushions are provided which define a central flat section and flexible rounded side sections. One of the cushions has a harness associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Laurie L. Tandrup
  • Patent number: 5816663
    Abstract: A vehicle seat belt and body pad that includes an elongated belt having a latch assembly at one end for removable coupling to the latch plate conventionally provided on a vehicle seat, and a latch plate at the opposing end for removable coupling to a latch assembly conventionally provided on a vehicle seat or a vehicle shoulder harness. An open rectangular pad of resilient construction has one straight side affixed to the belt between the ends of the belt. In the event of an imminent vehicle impact, the pad may be pivoted on the lap of the vehicle occupant upwardly about the elongated dimension of the belt for protective disposition over the abdomen of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Inventor: James R. Steinle
  • Patent number: 5803535
    Abstract: A baby buggy seat including a seat member, a back rest member hingedly coupled to a rear edge of the seat member, a pair of opposed ear flaps coupled to the back rest member, a head rest member coupled to a rear edge of the back rest member, a pair of opposed side arm rests coupled to the seat member, a leg rest coupled to a front edge of the seat member, a substantially U-shaped front handrail coupled to the side arm rests, and a substantially U-shaped handle hingedly coupled to the side arm rests and extendable over the seat member for transporting the seat manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Jane, S.A.
    Inventor: Ramon Jane Cabagnero
  • Patent number: 5800020
    Abstract: A posture support apparatus for supporting the posture of an infant while in an infant transport device that includes a front portion a straddleable support portion and a cross member adapted for extending across the front portion of the infant transport device. The posture support apparatus includes a longitudinal body which is preferably filled with cushion material, a first strap attached near an end of the longitudinal body, a second strap attached to the longitudinal body near another end, and a stabilization pad attached to the mid-portion of the longitudinal body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Inventor: Elvetia C. Brock
  • Patent number: 5795030
    Abstract: A seat belt pad with a padded area for abdominal support. There are two basic embodiments one for two-point seat belts and the other for three-point seat belts. The two-point belt has an oval shaped pad that has seat belt fittings on both sides of the pad. The vehicle's seat belts can then be clipped to the fittings on the pad. In this way, the pad, which is considerably larger than an ordinary seat belt, protects the user's abdomen. The pad is designed to have equal or greater strength than ordinary seat belts. The three point-pad has two outer bands that fit over an ordinary three-point seat belt. The bands have VELCRO attaches to close the bands around the seat belts. A layer of mesh extends between the belts and is used to support the user's abdomen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Karl W. Becker
  • Patent number: 5765893
    Abstract: An improved restraint apparatus for use on an infant vehicle seat to reduce head and neck injury in infants. The improved restraint apparatus comprises a shell and padded lining shaped to partially enclose an infant when the restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat. A first envelope of support is formed in an upper portion of the shell and padded lining to receive and support an infant head, and the first envelope of support provides a support against head movement. A second envelope of support is formed in a lower portion of the shell and padded lining and provides a support against torso movement comparable to the support against head movement. This produces a unified restraint system between the head and torso when the restraint apparatus is attached to the infant vehicle seat.The padded lining has soft glove like pockets that are shaped to receive, support and restrain an infant head and torso. The lining is removable for lining replacement to fit different head and torso sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Inventor: Douglas K. Ziegler
  • Patent number: 5758582
    Abstract: A restraining device for restraining a passenger on a moving unit includes a passenger body enveloping unit having two side components each having a front end and a back end. The back end of each of the side components is joined to hinges fixed in an upper portion of a back of a seat of the moving unit, and the front end of each of the side components are connected together to form a space for enveloping the passenger. A transverse component rigidly fastened to the passenger body enveloping unit rests against the passenger's thighs when the passenger body enveloping unit envelops the passenger. A lock unit restrains the passenger body enveloping unit after the transverse component has come to rest against the passenger's thighs such that the passenger body enveloping unit envelops the passenger in an area of the passenger's forearms and belly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventor: Vladimir A. Gnezdilov
  • Patent number: 5732999
    Abstract: An infant activity center includes a bolster of a shape that will at least partially encircle an infant while providing an elevated playing surface. Preferably U-shaped, the bolster is made up of a plurality of dense foam pad sections encased and united in a removable, washable outer cover. A padded seating portion substantially traverses a center region defined by the pad sections. The upper surface of the cushion preferably includes a variety of toys secured thereto. The foam pad sections may include compartments or recesses for cups, toys or other items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Item New Product Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Aidan J. Petrie
  • Patent number: 5690382
    Abstract: A child car seat is provided for restraining a child seated in the car seat. The child car seat includes a seat assembly and a restraint shield. The restraint shield includes a fixed portion coupled to the seat assembly and a movable portion configured to move relative to the fixed portion and seat assembly between a plurality of positions. The movable portion is formed to include an interior region and the fixed portion is positioned to lie wholly in the interior region of the movable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Cosco, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Cone
  • Patent number: 5685604
    Abstract: A child-restraint booster seat includes a seat, a movable barrier shield, and a shield lock plate. The shield lock plate allows the user to selectively pivot the movable barrier shield for right-side access or left-side access to and from the child-restraint booster seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Cosco, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Kain
  • Patent number: 5685095
    Abstract: The safety guard of a ski lift chair is provided with a rotatable cylinder which bears a ski trail map on its periphery. The cylinder, formed of foam, is slit radially on one side from a central hole rotatably mounting it on the cross-bar of the safety guard having a pull-down position in front of the seated skier. The trail map is on a sheet longer than the periphery of the cylinder and has it ends tucked into the cylinder slit to hold the map sheet in place. The cylinder can be rotated by the gloved skier to view the full length of the trails leading from the top of the particular ski lift. It may also be slid laterally on the cross-bar for viewing by other passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Peter DeMasi
  • Patent number: 5664798
    Abstract: A foldable frame for a baby carriage which includes a flexible handrail and a pair of two-way toggle joints for connecting opposite ends of the handrail to a pair of spaced arms, each two-way toggle joint having a butt joint fixedly connected to a respective end of the handrail and a joint stand pivotally connected to a respective arm. The butt joint is pivotally connected to the joint stand by means of a pivot member. A latch member is pivotally mounted between lips of the joint stand. The latch member is biased by a spring into engagement with the pivot member. A groove formed within a forward end of the arm receives a portion of the latch member when the handrail in a fully extended position for preventing pivotal movement of the joint stand relative to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Lu Kuang Incorporation
    Inventor: Yung-Ha Huang
  • Patent number: 5664833
    Abstract: An overhead safety shield for an infant's car seat is rotatably coupled to the arms connecting the shield to the sides of the car seat. A detent mechanism provides positive locking engagement for the shield relative to the arms so that the shield can be fixed at one of several different angular positions about the pivot axis. The attitude of the shield can be set at the most convenient position for the occupant of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Century Products Company
    Inventors: MaryAnn Celestina-Krevh, William T. Ward, Jr., Michael P. Green
  • Patent number: 5626398
    Abstract: A band of material that is formed into a pouch. Inside the pouch is a roll of foam tubing to serve as protective padding. Attached to each end of the pouch is a strap that will wrap around the vertical portion of a chair arm and will fasten to itself in order to secure a person in the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Inventor: Brenda G. Wooldridge
  • Patent number: 5607203
    Abstract: An overhead shield for a child's car seat has a pair of arms pivotally attached to the side walls of the car seat and a central section which is adjustable with respect to the pivotable arm portions. A stationary rack secured to the arm has a plurality of rack notches which engage a pawl latch pivotally mounted to the side extensions of a central cushion member. An exposed operating button enables the pawl latch to be disengaged from the rack notches, and a bias spring normally urges the latch pawl into engagement with one of the rack notches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Century Products Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Sedlack
  • Patent number: 5599060
    Abstract: A child's booster seat for use in a vehicle having a vehicle seat and a vehicle passenger restraint system, .The booster seat includes a base and a shield attached to an upper end of the base. A lap belt for the passenger restraint system is used to maintain the shield in position on the base and also to form a direct restraint on a child in the seat. A shoulder belt adjustment strap is also provided for positioning a shoulder belt of the passenger restraint system downwardly away from a child's head and neck area when the base is used without the shield in place. The adjustment strap may be positioned to extend upwardly along either side of the booster seat to facilitate use of the booster seat with passenger restraint systems on either a right or left side of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Gerry Baby Products Company
    Inventors: William B. Stephens, Joel M. Kramer
  • Patent number: 5588699
    Abstract: An inflatable safety cushion for a child constructed of a one-piece inflatable structure having an upper portion with a centrally disposed aperture for placement about a child's neck, a middle section positionable over the chest of the child, and a lower section which accommodates a portion of each thigh of the child. A blood pressure bulb type manual pump is used for inflating the structure. When the device is placed around the neck of a child and properly inflated in conjunction with a seat restraining harness, the device operates in protecting the child's head, neck and chest from injury by maintaining the head and neck in a substantially vertical position and providing the cushioning effect to the upper torso and thigh area should impact occur. The device allows for the customization of various restraining mechanisms such as swings, car seats, airplane seats, and amusement park rides to accommodate the size of the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Inventors: Christopher Rundle, Michael Borell
  • Patent number: 5575535
    Abstract: An improved couch is provided of the type having a base, a first and second opposing arm rest, a back portion, a seating surface and a front couch surface. The improvement to the couch comprises: a front guard detachably connectable to the front couch surface for enclosing a portion of the seating surface on three sides, the front guard may be retractable for storage beneath the couch, and a tray may be extendable from the front guard for placing objects such as food, drinks, books, remote controls and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Inventors: Mark R. Burchett, Samuel W. Bibles
  • Patent number: 5560680
    Abstract: A child car seat device utilizing a platform for contacting the vehicle seat. The platform includes a front portion and a rear portion. A backrest is connected to the platform rear portion while a body projects from the front portion of the platform. The projecting body includes a shaft extending into contact with the platform. An ornamental terminus is fixed to the shaft by a suitable fastener. The connected ornamental terminus permits the legs of the child to straddle the same while sitting on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Inventors: Daniel R. Salvador, Wayne J. Salvador
  • Patent number: 5556162
    Abstract: A portable framework providing protection to a space surrounding a seat for an infant. The framework extends in all directions beyond a child situated in the seat to prevent threats from impacting the child directly. The seat may be conveniently mounted within the framework. The framework may then be easily placed in an automobile seat so that the seat may be used as a car seat. Alternatively, the framework may be connected to a stroller chassis to form a carriage. The framework is formed of a number of lightweight strong bars arranged at angles and with curves to cause potential hazards to be easily deflected from the structure. The framework includes a front portion which pivots to assist in introducing and removing a child from the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Roger A. Raffini
  • Patent number: 5542746
    Abstract: The present design is of a variable posture component system seating device, also called a work chair, which integrates user selectable and adjustable components. The components consist generally of a short base, a long base, height adjustment mechanisms, a seat adjustment mechanism, a seat assembly, right and left arm rest assemblies, an abdominal rest assembly, a back rest assembly, a head rest assembly, a knee/leg rest assembly, a keyboard desk assembly, an auxiliary desk assembly, a horizontal work surface assembly, and a variety of interconnecting hardware. Numerous improvements to a variable posture work chair are incorporated into the design, which can benefit workers subjected to extended periods of immobilization as well as the infirm and the injured. Fore and aft support from a single seated position is provided over the entire range of leaning normally associated with human sitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: L. Walter Bujaryn
  • Patent number: 5529382
    Abstract: An over-the-shoulder passenger restraint system that operates in three modes and permits fine adjustments of two pairs of pivoting elements, one pair located behind and above the passenger's shoulders, the second pair located in front of the passenger is described. Fine adjustments permit the securing of guests of varying sizes, from small children to tall or overweight adults. The restraint fits each person snugly, thus minimizing potential of injuries while also not blocking the view of a show or scenery around which a ride is themed. The restraint system is also very safe; when passengers are boarding the ride, the restraint cannot be moved, making it useful for balance. After passengers are seated, the restraint can only be pulled downward toward the passenger. During the ride, the restraint is locked and cannot move up or down. When passengers are exiting the ride, the restraint can only be moved upward and away from the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventor: Alexander Burkat
  • Patent number: 5529383
    Abstract: A device for retaining the user in a substantially upright position when seated in a chair is disclosed. The device consists of a bracket attached to the back of the chair having two distal ends, the ends extending laterally outward from the back support portion of the chair. Attached to these distal ends is an adjustable, padded strap that supports the abdomen of the person seated in the chair to prevent them from slouching or leaning forward. The strap extends perpendicular to the rear strut or frame of the chair to hold the user firmly in an upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Randall J. Laco
  • Patent number: 5511850
    Abstract: A children's automobile safety seat including an L-shaped frame, a seat portion and a backrest portion constructed as an integral unit, both of which are connected to the L-shaped frame. A padded, C-shaped safety bar is attached to the L-shaped frame such that the safety bar is disposed in a generally horizontal plane which is parallel to the seat portion. There is a pivoting mechanism for pivotally connecting a first end of the safety bar to a first side of the L-shaped frame, and a disconnecting mechanism for detachably connecting a second end of the safety bar to a second side of the L-shaped frame. A first air bag is stored within the safety bar, and a second air bag is stored within the seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Inventor: Jimmy M. Coursey
  • Patent number: 5507558
    Abstract: An auto booster seat adapted to be positioned on the seat of a vehicle to support a child and for functioning in cooperation with a conventional seat belt to secure the child and auto booster seat with respect to the seat of a car in the event of an accident or sudden acceleration or deceleration. The auto booster seat comprises a seating shell in a generally rectangular configuration and has parallel side edges and parallel front and rear edges, a lower surface positionable on the seat of the vehicle and an upper surface having a pad for receipt of a child sitting thereon. The seating shell has projections extending upwardly from the upper surface along the side edges. Each projection has a forward extent adjacent to the front edge and a rearward extent adjacent to the rear edge. A generally U-shaped cutout is formed into each projection with upwardly directed front and rear parallel surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Lisco, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Kain
  • Patent number: 5490716
    Abstract: An improved surgeon's chair is disclosed providing adjustable bodily support to a seated surgeon to prevent inadvertent fatigue, and a design enabling access to the chair without compromising the sterility of the surrounding operating area. The chair includes a frame assembly that supports both a seat assembly and a dual pivoting support having a plurality of body pads. A lifting mechanism attached to the seat assembly allows the seat assembly to be positioned at the desired vertical height. A knee rest assembly connected to the frame assembly provides support to the knees and shins of the surgeon. The dual pivoting support includes upper and lower sections that are independently rotatable and which rotate around respective laterally spaced vertical axes. The lower rotational section allows the body pads to be selectively positioned according to the girth and comfort of the surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: Michael L. Naughton
  • Patent number: 5429419
    Abstract: In a child safety seat for use in an automobile, a cushion member is provided along back surfaces of a crotch belt upwardly extending from a seat surface. A buckle is mounted on a free end of said crotch belt. Due to the rigidity of the cushion member, the crotch belt is made self-supporting, so that the crotch belt holds the buckle in the proper position and orientation Thus, a shoulder belt can be easily attached to or detached from the buckle. Moreover, the crotch belt is made more comfortable for the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Aprica Kassai Kabushikikaisha
    Inventors: Kenzou Kassai, Ichiro Onishi
  • Patent number: 5427432
    Abstract: A car seat positionable on the seat of an automobile and retainable in place by an automobile seat belt, the car seat having associated straps for securing the child in place on the car seat and a shield pivotable between a raised position for allowing the entrance or exit of a child from the seat and a lowered position for securing the child in place, the improvement comprising, the shield formed of parallel side arms and a cross bar coupling the outboard ends thereof and with inboard ends having pivot points about an axis of rotation for the shield, the cross bar movable with respect to the pivot point with means to vary the position of the cross bar with respect to the child being supported in the car seat and parallel spring means to retain the cross bar in a preselected position with respect to the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Lisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Meeker, Willaim R. Gibson